About Us

Welcome to Lismore Women

Providing information about women’s services and support for women in Lismore and surrounding districts.
Currently auspiced by Northern Rivers Women & Children’s Services Incorporated.
Lismore Women is committed to the vision of vibrant health and wellbeing for women and children through empowerment, safety & equality.

Our purpose is to provide a range of accommodation services and programs to women escaping domestic & family violence; to deliver a range of health promotion, illness prevention and early intervention services to women and their children; to provide strengths based and person centred information, referral, advocacy and case management services to women and their children; to deliver a range of community development and education services to the local community to promote gender equality & healthy and respectful relationships; deliver an inclusive service that meets the needs of all women in the community regardless of religious or cultural background, socio-economic status, age, sexual preference & ability; and to advocate for the rights of women & children through lobbying and influencing policy makers.

Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc

Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc is committed to the vision in which all relationships are free from abuse, and embraces the feminist principles of self-determination, empowerment and freedom of choice for all women and children. NORWACS was previously known as Lismore Women and Children’s Refuge Inc and has been operating in the Lismore area since 1975, assisting women and children to escape from domestic violence and sexual assault.

As a part of a tendering process in 2001 the Management Committee devised a restructuring process for the organisation to allow for expansion. The restructure involved a new organisational arrangement to address issues of equality between services, which in turn needed a new organisational and management model. In 2007 NORWACS became an incorporated body and the restructure was complete.

In April 2014 NORWACS amalgamated with Lismore District Women’s Health Service who had operated in the Lismore District since 1987 providing a holistic feminist health service. The amalgamation was seen as the strengthening of two feminist organisations both committed to the empowerment of women and the provision of effective service delivery. Lismore Women’s Resource Centre and Lismore Women’s Health Centre combined services to become Lismore Women’s Health & Resource Centre.

Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc role is to provide governance, administration and management to the services and projects that it manages. The Management Board ensures that these services comply with all relevant federal, state and local government laws and regulations. Currently Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc auspices the following project: • Lismore Women’s Health & Resource Centre

Lismore Women's Health and Resource Centre

Lismore Women’s Health and Resource Centre is a safe place run for Women by Women, incorporating services and groups which aim to empower women on their life path. Lismore Women’s Health and Resource Centre have been servicing the Lismore and surrounding areas for more than 25 years and are committed to assisting women and their children.

Current Community Networks

NORWACS Inc. works alongside and in partnership with a variety of community agencies, government organisations and networks in the Lismore and surrounding districts. Read more about local initiatives from our Community Networks.

Our Team

Meet the Lismore Women’s Health and Resource Centre Team.

Testimonials

What Lismore Women say…

“Think yoga is great… really good… Christina does all this empowering stuff where you visualise yourself as a really strong women – like a warrior kind of thing”

Hannah, Yoga

“Having the people who are sincerely passionate about what they do, interested, nurturing, loving and caring and all that when you go through pregnancy – definitely provides a very loving caring environment for us.”

Marie, Pre-Natal Care

“Talks afterwards – helps having tools in your belt to deal with knowledge about services, resources, to pull out when things do get a bit tough.”

Imogen, Support Services

“I wouldn’t be here without her – she saved my life”

Witheld, Counselling Client

“I find the women’s displays very informative, colourful, interesting and inspiring. The information is current and lets the women know what is happening in the centre, in the community and all over the world. The display boards touch on relevant issues important to women such as body image, healthy eating and relationships and have inspiring and strengthening quotes for empowerment.”

Krsna, Women's Services

“The Women’s Health and Resource Centre has really helped me! Thank you. I feel better about myself and am meeting new people and taking on new activities and am excited by the opportunities I have rather than scared by them. Thank you so much for all your help I really appreciate it.”

Witheld, Support Services

A regular borrower of our books returned the rest of her books today and said she was unable to borrow more as she has been motived to apply for a course and has been accepted into Southern Cross University to do a Degree in Healing and Trauma. She was very excited at the prospect of the new chapter in her life.

Witheld, Women's Services

Women We've Helped

News

FoodREDi™ is a relaxed and engaging way to learn about healthy eating, food shopping on a budget and preparing nutritious meals. We will talk, laugh, share food and take home a portfolio of recipes and tips that will take the stress out of meal time. Come along, meet some new […]

IN JUNE we launched the beginning of Healthy Heart Month. Lismore Womens Health & Resource were the lucky recipients of a Go Red for Women Grant. This grant allows us to spread the word about Heart Disease and Prevention across the North Coast. Governors Visit We had a fantastic day […]